Unofficial Preview Best 23 2025 Predictions

[Grasshopper17]

Are you suggesting Whiting is a fish whose judgement is clouded because he is hooked on alcohol? Judging by the team he selected, you might be onto something Hoppity!

I think he simply knew we were missing your contribution round these parts 3KZ, and he knew the perfect way to get you up and about!

 

[3KZ is Football]

I think he simply knew we were missing your contribution round these parts 3KZ, and he knew the perfect way to get you up and about!

Thanks mate. Nice to be appreciated.

 

[martinson]

Thanks mate. Nice to be appreciated.

Great to hear from you again 3KZ.

Well we're not even into match sims and people are on to replacing players who won 4 finals in a row for us .

Too much time on their hands.

I thought I heard Fagan say Lester was one of the first picked every week. So someone will need to convince him for Froggy to get the boot.

I'd love it if Doedee shaped up .It'd be a mighty effort after 3 Acl's , not having played a Senior game after the second one. Is there anyone who's had much of a career after 3 Acl's ? I suppose there must be ,just interested to know.

 

[M Malice]

I'd love it if Doedee shaped up .It'd be a mighty effort after 3 Acl's , not having played a Senior game after the second one. Is there anyone who's had much of a career after 3 Acl's ? I suppose there must be ,just interested to know.

Nick Malceski was the one that popped into my head, IIRC one of his he had lars surgery, I don't think anyone goes that route any longer.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Great to hear from you again 3KZ.

Well we're not even into match sims and people are on to replacing players who won 4 finals in a row for us .

Too much time on their hands.

I thought I heard Fagan say Lester was one of the first picked every week. So someone will need to convince him for Froggy to get the boot.

I'd love it if Doedee shaped up .It'd be a mighty effort after 3 Acl's , not having played a Senior game after the second one. Is there anyone who's had much of a career after 3 Acl's ? I suppose there must be ,just interested to know.

Brisbane’s Merrett-Murray Medal Top 10 - 2024​

1st - Lachie Neale (73 votes)
2nd - Dayne Zorko (72)
3rd - Josh Dunkley (71)
4th - Hugh McCluggage (64)
5th - Darcy Wilmot (61)
6th - Ryan Lester (60)
Eq.7th - Harris Andrews (56)
Eq.7th - Jarrod Berry (56)
Eq.7th - Joe Daniher (56)
Eq.10th - Oscar McInerney (54)
Eq.10th - Cam Rayner (54)

On top of a stellar Finals Series, Ryan Lester was 6th in our B&F this year, ahead of some big name Lions players. He is the BACKLINE GENERAL and Lester, Andrews and Payne are the strongest and most versatile defensive unit in the competition. Each is a LOCK for senior selection and will remain so all year.

 

[dlanod]

Well we're not even into match sims and people are on to replacing players who won 4 finals in a row for us .

Too much time on their hands.

Welcome to the off-season. We're discussing how an AFL team will potentially line up in over half a year (can't be Round 0/1 since most of us are including Oscar). People are getting worked up about how an AFL team will potentially line up in over half a year. Literally all of us commenting on this thread are the definition of too much time on our hands.

 

[M Malice]

Plus this is a footy forum dedicated to meaningless chat.... standard operating procedure.

Long may the bloviating continue.

 

[McIvor]

Welcome to the off-season. We're discussing how an AFL team will potentially line up in over half a year (can't be Round 0/1 since most of us are including Oscar). People are getting worked up about how an AFL team will potentially line up in over half a year. Literally all of us commenting on this thread are the definition of too much time on our hands.

My turn then for round zero :

B B. Starcevich J. Payne T. Doedee
HB K. Coleman H. Andrews D. Wilmot
C h. McCluggage W. Ashcroft J. Berry
HF K. Lohmann E. Hipwood C. Rayner
F L. McCarthy S. Day C. Cameron
R O. McInerney J. Dunkley L. Neale
INT D. Gardiner Z. Bailey C. Ah Chee N. Answerth
SUB S. Brain
EM L. Morris J. Flecther D. Zorko

 

[notliondown]

Interesting so many have Coleman walking back into the team so easily... I don't. And for a number of reasons.

His recovering is seemingly taking the longest of the group after a couple of setbacks so I don't see the club rushing him back in any case, but additionally Kiddy needs to work on his game.

This is now a premiership team with a pretty decent balance, and both Zorks and Motty have given us the flair that seemed so lacking when Kiddy looked like the only one who could. Kiddy's defensive game - which did improve - is still his weakness along with fading in and out of games - often due to fitness.

His upsides now are largely covered - although no one has his accuracy - but his downsides need to cleaned up before he pushes someone else out. If he makes it back in it will be a while coming I think.

And he sure as hell isn't a replacement for Answerth - they are chalk and cheese.

Doedee is a more natural backline change for me. As a back up to Payne and Starc (who's future is clouded) - he's someone we need to get settled into the team. McKenna out, Doedee in and lets see who holds their spots by the mid season bye.

 

[Tom14]

Interesting so many have Coleman walking back into the team so easily... I don't. And for a number of reasons.

His recovering is seemingly taking the longest of the group after a couple of setbacks so I don't see the club rushing him back in any case, but additionally Kiddy needs to work on his game.

This is now a premiership team with a pretty decent balance, and both Zorks and Motty have given us the flair that seemed so lacking when Kiddy looked like the only one who could. Kiddy's defensive game - which did improve - is still his weakness along with fading in and out of games - often due to fitness.

His upsides now are largely covered - although no one has his accuracy - but his downsides need to cleaned up before he pushes someone else out. If he makes it back in it will be a while coming I think.

And he sure as hell isn't a replacement for Answerth - they are chalk and cheese.

Doedee is a more natural backline change for me. As a back up to Payne and Starc (who's future is clouded) - he's someone we need to get settled into the team. McKenna out, Doedee in and lets see who holds their spots by the mid season bye.

 

[3KZ is Football]

My turn then for round zero :

B B. Starcevich J. Payne T. Doedee
HB K. Coleman H. Andrews D. Wilmot
C h. McCluggage W. Ashcroft J. Berry
HF K. Lohmann E. Hipwood C. Rayner
F L. McCarthy S. Day C. Cameron
R O. McInerney J. Dunkley L. Neale
INT D. Gardiner Z. Bailey C. Ah Chee N. Answerth
SUB S. Brain
EM L. Morris J. Flecther D. Zorko

CRAZY TALK! You left Sam Marshall out!

 

[M Malice]

Foxsports.com's go at it this morning >

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...s/news-story/b271f67b0c99f960c2e797472dd85e44

B: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, R.Lester

HB: C.McKenna, J.Payne, D.Zorko

C: J.Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, H.McCluggage

HF: C.Rayner, L.Morris, J.Berry

F: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, Z.Bailey

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale

I/C: K.Lohmann, C.Ah Chee, N.Answerth, D.Wilmot, L.Ashcroft

EMG: S.Day, D.Fort, B.Reville


The reigning premiers are in terrific shape heading into the new year, despite the continued rehabilitations of Keidean Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner and Tom Doedee, who each suffered ACL injuries last season and will all likely miss Opening Round at a minimum. Ruckman Oscar McInerney will play provided he has recovered from the shoulder reconstruction that kept him out of the 2024 premiership triumph. Darcy Fort and Sam Day will be in calculations for Chris Fagan as the Lions attempt to fill the void left by retired star Joe Daniher, but the continued development of Logan Morris will also be counted on.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Foxsports.com's go at it this morning >

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...s/news-story/b271f67b0c99f960c2e797472dd85e44

B: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, R.Lester

HB: C.McKenna, J.Payne, D.Zorko

C: J.Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, H.McCluggage

HF: C.Rayner, L.Morris, J.Berry

F: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, Z.Bailey

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale

I/C: K.Lohmann, C.Ah Chee, N.Answerth, D.Wilmot, L.Ashcroft

EMG: S.Day, D.Fort, B.Reville


The reigning premiers are in terrific shape heading into the new year, despite the continued rehabilitations of Keidean Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner and Tom Doedee, who each suffered ACL injuries last season and will all likely miss Opening Round at a minimum. Ruckman Oscar McInerney will play provided he has recovered from the shoulder reconstruction that kept him out of the 2024 premiership triumph. Darcy Fort and Sam Day will be in calculations for Chris Fagan as the Lions attempt to fill the void left by retired star Joe Daniher, but the continued development of Logan Morris will also be counted on.

Doesn't feel as well balanced as Fish's with 2 small forwards and 2 small backs on the bench

 

[Perrip]

Foxsports.com's go at it this morning >

For Round 1, Coleman should be available for selection but McInerney is unlikely too.

Also, switching McKenna from that sub role he successfully played in the back half of last year is an odd choice.

 

[KissKiss]

100% that one of those bench spots would be a tall forward. Who to drop is hard but its glaringly obvious that we line up with 3 tall forwards no matter what.

 

[Saucery]

Brisbane Lions best 22 for 2025 AFL season​

FB	Brandon Starcevich	Harris Andrews	Tom Doedee
HB	Dayne Zorko	Jack Payne	Keidean Coleman
C	Jaspa Fletcher	Josh Dunkley	Hugh McCluggage
HF	Zac Bailey	Eric Hipwood	Cam Rayner
FF	Charlie Cameron	Darcy Gardiner	Logan Morris
R	Oscar McInerney	Lachie Neale	Will Ashcroft
Interchange	Jarrod Berry	Darcy Wilmot	Kai Lohmann
Levi Ashcroft
SUB	Callum Ah Chee

MSN

None of these statements represent the view of the poster, I mean Darcy Gardiner at FF instead of Linc.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I’ll have a crack then. This would be my team for the opening round.

B: Starcevich Payne Lester
HB: Zorko Andrews Wilmot
W: McCluggage W.Ashcroft Fletcher
HF: Berry Hipwood Rayner
FF: Cameron Fort Ah Chee
FOL: McInerney, Dunkley Neale
INT: Morris Answerth L. Ashcroft Lohmann
Sub: Gardiner or Coleman

 

[3KZ is Football]

After that, a spot in the team and positions would be determined, as ever, by injuries and form. Given the depth of our list and the form of the group that won the 2024 Premiership, we really need to adopt a philosophy of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Players returning from injury need to work themselves back into full match fitness and they then need to be patient and wait for their opportunity.

One thing is for certain, I’m not a betting man, but if I was, I would have the house on us winning the Reserves Grand Final next year.

 

[M Malice]

I’ll have a crack then. This would be my team for the opening round.

B: Starcevich Payne Lester
HB: Zorko Andrews Wilmot
W: McCluggage W.Ashcroft Fletcher
HF: Berry Hipwood Rayner
FF: Cameron Fort Ah Chee
FOL: McInerney, Dunkley Neale
INT: Morris Wilmot L. Ashcroft Lohmann
Sub: Answerth

You have Wilmot on the Bench and in the starting back 6 3KZ.... Answerth in and new sub?

 

[Saucery]

After that, a spot in the team and positions would be determined, as ever, by injuries and form. Given the depth of our list and the form of the group that won the 2024 Premiership, we really need to adopt a philosophy of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Players returning from injury need to work themselves back into full match fitness and they then need to be patient and wait for their opportunity.

One thing is for certain, I’m not a betting man, but if I was, I would have the house on us winning the Reserves Grand Final next year.

Yes the ain't broke don't fix worked well for lethal and many other coaches since. Lee once said it's fine to be predictable as long as you can beat everyone else doing so. Let' make hay while the sun shines (I don't think that one's Lee's)

 

[Saucery]

You have Wilmot on the Bench and in the starting back 6 3KZ.... Answerth in and new sub?

There's another super secret Wilmot we will be bringing in the MSD rort, his twin (who is about ten times better than Morrie). All very hush hush you know.


Oh

 

[3KZ is Football]

You have Wilmot on the Bench and in the starting back 6 3KZ.... Answerth in and new sub?

Yep ta. Fixed that. I meant to have Coleman as sub and Answerth on bench. I could even be tempted to have Gardiner as sub. Forgot about him.

Edit: In fact - Gardiner as Sub makes stacks of sense.

 

[Lazza16]

Brisbane’s Merrett-Murray Medal Top 10 - 2024​

1st - Lachie Neale (73 votes)
2nd - Dayne Zorko (72)
3rd - Josh Dunkley (71)
4th - Hugh McCluggage (64)
5th - Darcy Wilmot (61)
6th - Ryan Lester (60)
Eq.7th - Harris Andrews (56)
Eq.7th - Jarrod Berry (56)
Eq.7th - Joe Daniher (56)
Eq.10th - Oscar McInerney (54)
Eq.10th - Cam Rayner (54)

On top of a stellar Finals Series, Ryan Lester was 6th in our B&F this year, ahead of some big name Lions players. He is the BACKLINE GENERAL and Lester, Andrews and Payne are the strongest and most versatile defensive unit in the competition. Each is a LOCK for senior selection and will remain so all year.

Welcome back ex Premier Andrews...we missed ur smarts.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Welcome back ex Premier Andrews...we missed ur smarts.

I’m way better looking! I’m in Greece at the minute on the island of Naxos and it is winter. Good news is that despite that, I’ve still managed to pick up a nice tan. It’s stormy today, but it’s been sunny and 18 or 19 most days. I know where I would like to retire to. How are you going Lazza16?

 

[Lazza16]

For Round 1, Coleman should be available for selection but McInerney is unlikely too.

Also, switching McKenna from that sub role he successfully played in the back half of last year is an odd choice.

Eric no certainty to be fit round 0 according to Fages